He outlined what Taft has, and what it can realistically hope to get in the near future.

Currently Kaiser brings in a large medical van once a week to treat patients, and that provider is also interested in becoming more involved, Cornforth said.

“Kaiser patients don't just get sick once a week,” he told the board.

Cornforth said Quest is interested in coming in with radiology services.

Other services in addition to telemedicine, could also be added. Taft lacks full time obstetrics care, and even a nurse practitioner in that field would be a big improvement, he said. An expansion of pharmacy services, and even weekly visits to Taft by specialists in a variety of fields are also feasible with the right facilities.

He ended the presentation with an optimistic note on the financial side of building a new facility.

“I believe we can raise the money to build the building,” he said.

He also offered a course of action, starting with a feasibility study and following up with a plan to design the facility taking advantage of the old hospital property, establishing a budget and identifying funding sources and contacting all potential partners.